TORONTO — A day before the U.S. Olympic hockey team's roster is unveiled, Auston Matthews revealed why he will be one of the Stars and Stripes' leading players.
The Toronto Maple Leafs captain scored three goals, including the winner with 4:22 left, to lead his club to a 6-5 victory over the struggling Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
“Yeah, it's exciting,” Matthews said. “You see Team Canada and some of the other teams that are out there. It feels like (the Winter Olympics) are just around the corner, just five or six weeks away. So, definitely, I'm excited to see (the U.S. squad).”
Matthews notched his 14th career hat trick and 66th career game-winner. His second power-play goal with two seconds left in the second period to pull the Maple Leafs within 4-3 after trailing 4-1 was his 232nd goal on home ice, breaking Darryl Sittler's 44-year-old franchise record.
“It's fun to watch,” said Bobby McMann, who has played Matthews' right wing in recent games. “It shows his leadership.”
“He's our captain for a reason,” added defenseman Troy Stecher, who scored the tying goal early in the third period. “He's our leader. It was an amazing performance.”
Matthews missed the Maple Leafs' previous game with a lower-body ailment. He wanted to change his clothes, but due to his busy schedule, Toronto head coach Craig Berube convinced his captain to take the day off and heal.
“You want to play every game and overcome some obstacles,” Matthews said. “Sometimes it just doesn't work out. Like I said this morning, we play a lot of games in a little time. So sometimes you have those two days to rest or try to deal with whatever you're dealing with a little bit.”
In three games since the Christmas break, Matthews has four goals and eight points. He is now just one goal behind Mats Sundin's record of 420 goals.
“It’s pretty special to be in the same sentence as him,” Matthews said. “Guys like him and so many others who came before us paved the way for us to wear this jersey. I think we are all very proud to wear this jersey and understand how special it is.”
“It definitely means a lot. I try not to think about it. It's hard when you guys (reporters) bring it up every day.”
The Maple Leafs have won three of four games in six nights since returning from the Christmas break. They moved within two points of the Buffalo Sabers, who hold the second wild card and the final playoff spot.
Berube credits the team's good performance with the team's improved forecheck and improved shot to goal. As Matthews scored the win, another linemate, Easton Cowan, hurried Winnipeg goaltender Eric Comrie to freeze the puck in front of the net. When Comrie made a mistake, the puck rolled to Matthews, who easily scored.
“I like our testing, like the last goal,” Berube said. “That's why we force teams to make bad turnovers.
“And then offensively, I think we're on point right now. In a hurry, we're moving towards goal really well right now.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 2, 2026.
